NYC launches aggressive anti-diabetes campaign

New York, Mar 29 (UNI) To counter the rising cases of diabetes, New York Mayor Michael R Bloomberg unveiled the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) ad campaign ''Are You at Risk?''-- a nationwide call to identify the millions of Americans who were unaware that they had diabetes.

''As promised in my state of the City address, we've launched an aggressive campaign to target the only major health problem in our city that is getting worse - diabetes,'' Mr Bloomberg said yesterday at the launch of the campaign.

''It's a vicious silent killer that affects more than eight lakh of our residents but with partners like the ADA we can ensure that individuals living with diabetes get the care and help they need to control the disease. Public health is a fundamental responsibility of government and we are going to do everything we can to help New Yorkers live longer and healthier lives,'' he added.

Health Commissioner Thomas R Frieden and President of the ADA New York City Leadership Council Peter Sheehan joined the Mayor in this subway advertising campaign --specifically designed with iconographic images of New York City -- unveiled as the National American Diabetes Alert Day.

Mr Frieden said, ''Diabetes is epidemic in New York City and has been getting worse rapidly. More than five lakh New Yorkers have been diagnosed with diabetes, which is more than double the number ten years ago.'' ''Every person with diabetes should know that by controlling their diabetes through increased physical activity, healthier nutrition, and medicines, they can feel better, be healthier and live longer,''he added.

''With early detection and treatment, diabetes can be managed, and its devastating complications can be prevented or delayed,'' Mr Sheehan said.

''The ADA hopes that this Alert Day will help people recognise and act on any diabetes risk factors and warning signs they might discover,'' he added.

In New York city, which has a population of 8.1 million, an] estimated eight lakh people are living with diabetes -- 250,000 of them are unaware of it.

Diabetes health care costs across the country totaled 132 billion dollars in 2002 -- up from 98 billion dollars in 1997. Despite aggressive research efforts, there is no cure in sight. Nationwide more than one million people develop the disease each year. In addition, about 41 million Americans have pre-diabetes, a classification which indicates higher than normal blood glucose (sugar) levels.

Individuals with Type 2 diabetes can live for years without realising that they have the disease. While people with diabetes can exhibit noticeable symptoms such as frequent urination, blurred vision and excessive thirst, most people with Type 2 diabetes do not have these overt warning signs at the time they develop the disease.

Often, Type 2 diabetes only becomes evident when people develop one or more of its serious complications such as heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, eye damage and nerve damage that can lead to amputations. The primary risk factors for Type 2 diabetes include being overweight, sedentary, and having a family history of diabetes.

Individuals over the age of 45 and African-Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, Asians and Pacific Islanders are at an increased risk.

UNI XC PV KP1326